I don't think Hillary Clinton can leave the race.  And it isn't because she's delusional, and it isn't because she's pathologically addicted to power, and it isn't, perhaps, even because she wants to destroy Barack Obama so she can run again in 2012 (though this may factor into her decision).

I believe that she can't drop out because she, and her husband, are afraid.

More below the fold.

The nomination race for the Democratic party is over.  It's been over for a while, but the media and the party are starting to catch up with the reality and facts.  That being said- there's the still looming issue of Michigan and Florida out there that threatens to disrupt the convention at which we nominate one of our finest leaders in generations, and could become an issue in the general election.  For that reason, I support seating a full Florida delegation as it stands right now, and a compromise Michigan delegation that would net Hillary Clinton a few delegates, but would seat a full slate of delegates (including supers).

Bear with me below the fold...

There has been a lot of handwringing, wailing, and worrying lately.  Admittedly, this hasn't been a good week for Obama in the news.  Regardless of the brilliance of Reverend Wright's speech this week, the news media has (predictably) gotten their spin machine in full gear and is going full bore with distortions and "analysis" of how much Rev. Wright will hurt Obama.
But this campaign has never been about news cycles, scandals, and the like.  We started with very little, and we've come a long way.  The things that brought us this far are going to be what continues to pull us along, as long as we hold onto them.

Jump over the fold to see what I mean...

DISCLAIMER:  We're 30 points behind, and all the uncommitted Superdelegates just pledged for Hillary.  We need to win every delegate for the rest of the race in order to win this.  PHONEBANK, DONATE, VOLUNTEER TO GET OUT THE VOTE.
Now, on to the point of the diary...
I think that its pretty clear now that Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee for President.  Hillary Clinton has no conceivable path to overtake him in pledged delegates, and the Superdelegates simply will not overturn the will of the voters.  Perhaps in another election cycle, but not now, and probably not for a long time.  When 18 year old first time voters are as well versed on the complicated nominating procedures as the old hands, and the country is excited and engaged, the so called "elites" will serve only to get whoever has already won the nomination through pledged delegates to the magic number of 2025.  It would be political suicide to do otherwise, and they know this.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...
What kind of winning strategy are the Clintons pursuing here?  We've suspected she isn't interested in a 50 state strategy based on her primary campaign, and her dismissal of about half the union as "insignificant."
But it goes deeper than that.  
Before even winning the nomination, before the campaign has even begun and state by state dynamics can be examined (as they should be for any decent 50+1 strategy)Clinton has surrogates dismissing half the states once again, and conceding 249 Electoral Votes before a single ballot is cast in the general election.
What's worse- this surrogate (introducing Hillary at a rally) has more good things to say about McCain than Obama, and tells McCain exactly what states they plan to compete in, 9 months before the general election, and well in advance of Hillary securing the nomination.  Think he might start getting organized?  More below the fold...